Time to invest in the next generation of talent

Yesterday marked the beginning of the London Coffee Festival 2017 and the Apprenticeship Levy. Two exciting launches in our book. Why?

The London Coffee Festival captures over 4 days the increasing demand for quality coffee by consumers alongside the growth in the industry. It encapsulates all that is exciting, new and progressive about the coffee industry bringing people together to educate, discuss and collaborate.

And the Apprenticeship Levy provides a potential solution to the talent shortage the industry faces over the next decade. A new Head Barista Apprenticeship can offer a structured pathway for people to progress and develop in an industry crying out for talent.

New research released by London Coffee Festival has found the coffee industry will need 40,000 baristas to cater for expansion programmes over the next six years. 40,000 Baristas. That’s one large ambition. It leaves us thinking; where will this trained talent come from?

At Well Grounded we provide structured, education pathways, aligned to the Speciality Coffee Association Diploma. We combine this learning with a hospitality and work readiness curriculum so that people are ready to succeed in work. These programmes range from Foundation courses to 10 week Traineeships. We work with local talent, whatever their background, to develop core and technical skills whilst providing ongoing professional development and mentorship.

At Well Grounded we are working on a new Level 3 Head Barista Apprenticeship with our Apprenticeship Board, members include Andrew Tolley, Taylor Street; Daniel Thompson, Soho House Group; Ben Szobody, Pro Baristas; Anson Goodge, Ozone Coffee Roasters; Mat North and Owen Thom, SCA; Rob Robinson, Notes Coffee and Laura Lumsden, Small Batch. This new Apprenticeship will enable businesses to support and develop talent in a way that is affordable and accessible.

The Apprenticeship Levy is without doubt a new frontier. We believe that together it will be an opportunity to develop the next generation of Baristas.